Catoctin clarion., 1887-06-02
A PRACTICAL SYSTEM.
THE BON MARCHES PLAN OF PRO-
FIT SHARING WITH EMPLOYEES.

Millinery and Dry Goods Pmradisc-A
Home for the omcless-Diyision OF
the Profits.
Fow Americans leave Pnris without visiting
the Magasin Ion Marchc. If they arc not
themselves addicted to tho pleasures of shop
ping tncy ure burdened with commissions
from friends at home, and it Is more than
likely that they will snatch at least half
day from the attractions of galleries and
churches to devote 10 that great paradise OF
millinery and dry goods. The Bon Murcho
is one Of the most distinguished Of tho fifty
French firms which share their profits with
ull who arc employed in the business. Its
founder, NJ. Boucicant, made il his highest
aim to associate IN his financial success all the
work people who had united with him to Oh
tain it, "especially those whose capacities
were not adequate for the attainment OF
lucrative posts" Since his death in 1877 his
widow has developed with wisdom and gencr-
osity al lis plans.
All who are interested in such efforts and Ia
great many who arc prompted only by an
idle curiosity, join the party Of visitors, who,
ut 3 o'clock each afternoon. are led through
the great buildings Of the Maison Boucicunt.
Following their courteous guide they enter
the packing department, Il business in itself,
from which goods arc dispatched to every
part of the civiliz.l world; they examine tho
heavy curtains and the Illuminating appar-
atus OF the room, where, hy electric light,
shades and colorY can be exactly hurmonzcd,
and they visit the stables, shining with neat.
ness, where scores OF magnificent horses aro
lodged like princes.
A HOME FOR TIE HOMELESS. :
Far moro distinctly interesting is the home
for tho homeless girls among the employees,
which occupies Il part Of the private bui dinSs
OF Nine. Boucicant. Walking through tho
large halls one catches GlimVscs Of pleasant,
airy rooms, each with polished floor, cur.
famed window and pretty furniture. Every
room is arranged for ono occupant, md bears
the impress Of her personal tastes in photo
graphs, ornaments or flowers. An attractive
parlor is provided with piano, we'll filled
book caGcS and games. Here these young
women receive their friends and meet together
for Eo"2! evenings.
Special consideration for working women
is indicated again by the arrangement of tho
dining rooms, which occupy almost an entire
floor of the main building, In providing
lunch and dinner for its employees the Bon
Marche follows n Partisan custom, moro or
less general, in reference to which wages are
adjusted; but it can safely bc safa that no
other establishment provides such delicate
and nourishing food, while wages are, ut
least, as high as in similar business houses.
There are 'ive dining rooms, large, sunny and
airy. One of these is set apart to the Use of
tho working girls, and il moro tasteful in its
furnishing They are all comfortable md
scrupulously nrnt and entirely free from any
odor of cooking The appointments OF tho
kitchen arc on an Immense scale; Gallons of
soup are simncring in brightly polished
kettles ON the enormous stoves, which daily
roast 1000 pounds of meat Dozens Of bns-
kctS are already filled with bread, which nn
ingenious little machine is slicinS thin for
the potaGc The relrigerators urc well filled
provision stores in themselves Lunch con-
sists of meat with vegetables, followed by n
dessert with a half liter of wine. at dinner,
In addition to these courses, soup and salad
arc offered. There is always Il choice of
meats; on the day of my visit the menu in-
ciudcd roast beef and Stcwcd hare.
The Mai>on Bouccant makes provision to
satisfy mental cravings as well rs physical
needs. large room is set apart to the of
the evening classes. Here, on different even
ings of tho week, are courses III bOOkkccp-
inS, The modern languages, orchestral music
and chorus smSinS. Concerts nrc given by
thcs" music classes, with the assistance of
well known artists.
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
Close to the class room is the center of OK
ccutivc ard Legislative power, the Office whcre
slmc. Boucicant meets the heads of depart
mcnts and superior employees whom she has
f,l il, N rt
Each one of them owns sl0,O0J share of the
capital. No one has contributed moro than
s2O,OOO, and in s,mc Instances n single share
belongs to several persons, though entered
under one name, so that the benefits of part
nelShip are extended 20 more than 100 These
working partners in tho meetings, at which
Nine, Boucicant prcSidrs, present their re-
ports and consult together for the advantage
of the great business which they direct.
About 1000 on,vloycS, al! those who have
served five years, belong to the proyi,lcnt
society, through which profit sharing is prac-
ticcd. Tho exact percentage of the profit
allotted annually to this society is undctcrmin-
ed and capable of variation from year to
year At the end of the commercial year of
1sSl-S,i about S2l 900 wns paid into its treas
ury. The share of each participant, nearly
not paid over annually, but capitalized to
his account, and draws yearly interest at the
rate of t per cent. Cash payment is made Of
the sum thus accumulated when the owners
attain the Goth year of their ago or the
twentieth of their work for the house. In the
case of women, the limits arc 80 years Of age
or fifteen of work.
The Interpretation of these conditions is
very generous. Illness and authorized absence
of three months urS not considered us i'll
terruption of work. In exceptional cases of
long sickness OF disabling accident, an i'm
mediate payment is often mudc and when Il
participant dies the amount to his credit is
given at once to the surviving relatives.
special rule provides that woman who
marrics and leaves the business shall rc-
cciyc the whole amount due to her, however
long shc may have been employed.
The entire capital of tho providcnt society
amounts Mt present to more than 1,OO0,W0
francs-nearly $3o0,o00. During the last year,
however, Mmo. Boucicant, dissatisfied with
the income which it yields to workulen who
have grown old in service, has founded, byn
personal gift of about 81 l,0OO,O0O, society Of
retreat, which provides for the same indivdu-
ais, under equivalent conditions, but adds to
the little capital thus secured an animal pen-
sion of from 500 to Subdivision Hcrald